In a Split Second || BTS

Chapter 14

I wake up to the sun shining brightly through the windows in rays of light onto the bed. Before moving an inch, my eyes flicker to Cherisa. She appears to be sleeping soundly, her small chest rising up and down with measured breaths. I slowly untangle myself from her arms and tiptoe downstairs to the kitchen, hoping to surprise everyone with breakfast.

I am just beginning to flip the pancakes on the griddle when soft footsteps echo up the stairs, and I look back to see Taehyung yawning as he makes his way towards me. Upon seeing him, I cannot stop a smile from spreading to my face.

"You should be sleeping," I say, but conviction is absent from my tone. "We had quite the evening last night."

"Yes, we did." He wraps his arms around my stomach and nuzzles his nose into the crook of my neck. I choke on a breath, and my fingers release their grip on the spatula, nearly dropping it into the griddle. "Please don't pull away."

The pleading in his voice makes my heart ache, and I turn around in his embrace, meeting his soulful gaze. "I won't."

The corners of his lips quirk upward slightly before he lowers his head, nudging his nose against mine. Our lips fit together perfectly as if they were designed for togetherness. As he kisses me, my mind flies to infinity, and I lose myself once more.

Jungkook's POV

I cannot stress this enough – Tae-hyung is the worst person to sleep beside ever. Half the time he is mumbling and kicking in his sleep, and the other times, he is so still I worry he might be dead. Also, I am sure he imagines himself quiet when he gets out of bed early in the morning, but in actuality, the entire bed shifts with the loss of his weight.

I yawn widely as I trudge up the stairs, certain that I will have dark circles under my eyes from a night of restlessness. It feels awkward sleeping in someone else's home – and someone else's room, no less – but I suppose it is better than the accommodations Manager Jae-joon-nim was considering. Besides, the delicious scent of pancakes wafting throughout the house from the kitchen almost compensates for my struggle to gain a full night of rest.

All of a sudden, as I am about to round the corner, two silhouettes pierce my blurry vision, and I recognize them instantly. Cherisse-noona's dark hair is pulled back from her face – as always – and her eyes are fluttered shut in contentment. Tae-hyung's face is hidden from me, but his messy brown hair distinguishes him. The oddity of the scene laid out before me fully hits when I realize the two are kissing each other as though their lives depend on it. So, hyung was not kidding when he said he kissed Cherisse-noona.

I back away as a slow grin lights my face, careful that the creaking floor does not alert the two of my presence. Cherisse-noona's blissful joy is blatant on her face as she weaves her fingers through Tae-hyung's hair – if she were not so happy, the sight would disgust me. I am glad she has found her happy ending. Worry penetrates my smile, and I flinch away, shaking my head in distaste as I venture back down the stairs to the basement. Has she really found her happy ending, though? I remember Seo-Yun. Tae-hyung may not remember her, but I do.

Cherisse's POV

"Is this some sort of cruel prank? Tamara, you would not hide my turkey – would you?"

Tammy snorts in amusement, glancing up from her phone. "Where would I put it? This house is tiny."

"You could put it under the couch mattress!" Cherisa offers, glancing up from her coloring book. Taehyung sits beside her, his brow furrowed as he colors the butterfly's left wing with absolute precision. I can't help smiling at the sight and shift my position to place my hand on Taehyung's shoulder subtly. He immediately responds and leans back into me, his head resting against my stomach.